The Ultimate Canada Bucket List | 130 Canada travel ideas!

If you haven’t guessed by now I LOVE Canada.

There’s a reason I moved to Canda from the UK almost 4 years ago and have no real plans to return. Canada is beautiful, with its mountains, prairies, lakes, and coastlines and there’s just SO much to explore.

If you’re looking for places to visit in Canada, then check out this Canada bucket list to add some things to do in Canada to your must-see list! 

Ultimate Canada bucket list

This bucket list Canada Post is broken down by province. From British Columbia on the West Coast to Prince Edward Island on the East and everything in between, you’re not short of ideas for Canada places to visit with this list as your inspiration! 

Bucket list British Columbia

Beautiful British Columbia sure is beautiful and that’s just one of the reasons I’ve made it my home province. There is an incredible amount of things to do in British Columbia but here are some of the very best things to do in BC.

• Explore the beautiful city of Vancouver and cycle the Stanley Park section of the seawall. I’m biased, but Vancouver is one of the best places to visit in Canada in my opinion!
• Go hiking – see all my BC hiking posts!
• Take a day trip to Bowen Island.
• Visit Whistler Blackcomb in the winter to go skiing and find the Whistler Ice Cave.
• Explore the Sunshine Coast.
• Take a trip to Vancouver Island and learn how to surf in Tofino.
• Stay in a cosy BC Cabin.
• Explore British Columbia’s interior on a wine-tasting trip in Kelowna. 
• Take a road trip along BC’s Powder Highway and find champagne powder for skiing!
• Explore the Indigenous community of Haida Gwaii and see if you can spot a spirit bear.
• Go grizzly bear watching on Vancouver Island
• Go whale watching off the coast of Vancouver Island at Campbell River.
• Explore the best hikes on Vancouver Island.
• Drive the beautiful sea to sky highway from Vancouver to Whistler. 
• Wander the streets of Victoria, BC’s Capital or take a day trip to Victoria from Vancouver
• Take a camping trip on the Gulf Islands.
• Experience island time on Hornby Island, Galiano Island, Salt Spring, Pender and more Gulf Islands.
• Spend 24 hours in Vancouver and explore the city’s top attractions.
• Do some epic hikes in BC such as Mt Assiniboine, Lake O’Hara or the West Coast Trail
• Explore the waterfalls at Wells Gray Provincial Park. 
• Kayak or canoe on Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park.
• Hike the Berg Lake trail in Mt Robson Provincial Park.
• Take a road trip to Yoho, Banff and Jasper National Park

See my Vancouver bucket list ideas.

Alberta bucket list

Alberta is home to the cities of Calgary and Edmonton and famous for the stunning Banff and Jasper National Parks. There are some incredible things to see and do in Alberta!

• Take a hike in jasper definitely one of the best places in Canada to visit for sheer beauty.
• Explore the Icefields Parkway between Jasper and Banff – one of the most scenic drives in the world.
• Take a day trip from Calgary out to the mountains
• Go canoeing on Moraine Lake or Lake Louise.
• Wander the streets of Banff and explore these things to do in Banff and plan the ultimate 4 days in Banff National Park.
• Head out to Calgary and explore the Olympic Park.
• Explore Canmore in winter – my favourite Alberta town!
• Discover these cool places to stay in Jasper National Park.
• Time your trip for the Calgary Stampede. 
• Explore some of the best waterfalls in Alberta
• Take an overnight kayak trip to Spirit Island on Maligne Lake.
• Visit the impressive West Edmonton Mall which even has an indoor roller coaster!
• Visit the Edmonton Ice Castles in the winter.
• Explore the stunning Edmonton hiking trails
• Search for dinosaur bones at Drumheller.
• Drive the beautiful scenery of Crowsnest Pass. 
• Visit the town of Canmore

Saskatchewan bucket list

Saskatchewan borders the United States to the south and sits between Alberta and Manitoba. Famous for the grassland covering its southern plains the province also has coniferous forests, rivers and lakes. 

• Visit the Great Sandhills and walk amongst them.
• Explore the waters of the Clearwater River home to some of the most challenging rapids in a canoe.
• Go dogsledding at Anglin Lake Recreation Site in the winter.
• Float in Lake Manitou.
• Climb the steps of the only lighthouse in the province to enjoy views of Murray and Jackfish lakes.
• Camp overnight at the Minowukaw Beach campground in Candle Lake Provincial Park. 
• Enjoy tasty ribs at the Saskatoon Ribfest.
• Walk across the longest pedestrian bridge in Canada, the Sky Trail Bridge, to enjoy scenic views of the South Saskatchewan River.
• Trek to the Grey Owl Cabin in Prince Albert National Park
• Zoom along the famed snowmobile trails in the Hudson Bay.
• Explore the city of Regina; the province’s capital.

Manitoba bucket list

Manitoba is a province full of lakes and rivers, mountains, forests and prairies. It stretches from northern Arctic tundra to the Hudson Bay in the east and southern farmland. There are over 80 provincial parks with hiking, biking, canoeing, camping and more outdoor activities available.

• Head to Churchill in search of polar bears on a tundra buggy.
• Try your hand at ice fishing and see what you can catch!
• Grab a bite to eat and a drink at The Forks in Winnipeg. 
• Explore Riding National Park; don’t forget snowshoes in the winter!
• Experience the caribou migration from the Schmok Lake area in late August or early September to take it in.
• Explore the Canadian Museum of Human Rights in Winnipeg.
• Wander Whiteshell Provincial Park and its 200 lakes.
• Take a Beluga Whale Safari to see some of the 3,000 to 5,000 beluga whales in the Churchill River mouth from Western Hudson Bay.
• Go skating on the Red River Mutual Trail in Winnipeg; one of the longest naturally frozen skating trails in the world.
• Spend the winter in Churchill to try and see the Northern Lights.

Bucket list Ontario

Ontario is home to the well-known cities of Toronto and Ottawa. Close to the border with the US, there’s plenty of fun things to do in Ontario!

• Head to the top of the CN tower in Toronto.
• Explore the city of Ottawa and visit the Parliament buildings.
• See the majestic Niagara Falls.
• Go shopping at Ottawa’s ByWard market and buy some tasty treats.
• Take a relaxing weekend in Cottage country: Muskoka. 
• Visit the 1000 Islands with lighthouses, historic castles, museums, fishing, diving, unlimited coastlines and more.
• Try out skiing at Blue Mountain resort on a romantic getaway. 
• Skate the Rideau Canal in Ottawa in winter.
• Enjoy the Ottawa winter festivals.
• Drive the Long Sault parkway between Kingston and Montreal. The parkway connects eleven islands on the St. Lawrence River and is beautiful!
• Kayak Toronto’s islands.
• Check out these cool things to do in Toronto in winter
• Go camping in Algonquin Park.

Read more: Best places to visit in Ontario in winter

Quebec bucket list

Quebec is Canada’s predominantly French-speaking province so be prepared to speak French. With beautiful architecture, there’s so much to do in Quebec!

• Enjoy cafe culture in Montreal in the summer, then experience Montreal in winter!
• Explore Quebec City in winter and its cuteness!
• Go skiing at these ski hills near Quebec City. 
• Join the debate on the best bagels in Montreal.
• Enjoy the outdoor activities in Montreal including surfing!
• Learn more about poutine and eat some!
• Visit Montmorency Falls, Quebec’s answer to Niagara.
• Go dog sledding in Quebec
• Watch the F1 when it comes to Montreal.
• Crisscross over Canyon Sainte Anne as you walk the suspension bridges across the gorge.
• Head to a Sugar Shack to watch as the maple syrup is made.
• Eat until you can eat no more at Île d’Orléans!

New Brunswick bucket list

There are so many beautiful places in Canada to visit and New Brunswick is one of them. On Canada’s Atlantic coast, New Brunswick is proudly bilingual without about 2/3 of the population speaking English and the rest French. Here are some of the best things to do in New Brunswick.

• Go glamping at Glamping Cielo. 
• Take a scenic drive on Fundy; home to the world’s highest tides.
• Explore Acadian culture with a visit to the Bouctouche Dunes and Chaleur Bay.
• Eat a fresh lobster roll on the coast. 
• Walk the ocean floor at Hopewell Rocks. 
• Go paddleboarding at Shediac Paddle Shack.
• Visit Holy Whale, a brewery in a former church! 
• Eat Tourtiere a meat pie typically made with minced pork and potatoes, in Bathurst.
• Get a selfie with a giant lobster in Shediac.
• Try and resist the pull of Magnetic Hill. Drive to the bottom of this world-famous hill, take your foot off the brake and be prepared to be amazed.
• Drive through the world’s longest covered bridge in Hartland. 

Nova Scotia bucket list

Another province in Atlantic Canada, Nova Scotia is full of fun things to do and is one of the top places to travel in Canada. 

• Explore the hiking trails at Cape Breton Highlands National Park.
• Walk one of the world’s longest boardwalks in Halifax, NS and enjoy the restaurants and shops.
• Explore the Bay of Fundy and walk on the ocean floor at low tide.
• Snap your own photo of Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse.
• Examine the Joggin’s Fossil cliffs and see what you can find at this UNESCO site.
• Visit Oak Island and try your hand at finding the treasure that may (or may not) be there.
• Spot the wild horses running at Sable Island.
• Drive the Cabot Trail to Cape Breton: a beautiful 300 km drive with picturesque coastal towns along the way. 
• See Puffins on Donelda’s Bird Island Puffin Tours in Baddeck.
• Shop at Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market; the oldest continuously operating farmer’s market in North America at over 250 years old!

Bucket list Prince Edward Island

Are you still wondering where to travel in Canada? Add Prince Edward Island to that list!

Off the coast from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Prine Edward Island is marked by red-sand beaches, lighthouses, and fertile farmland, and is renowned for seafood like lobster and mussels.

• Taste vodka from the Prince Edward Distillery. This distillery makes vodka distilled from potatoes and crafted PEI’s first wild blueberry vodka.
• Hire a bicycle and explore Greenwich in Prince Edward Island National Park.
• Spend a day at Basin Head Beach and listen for the singing sands!
• Explore the arts and crafts made by Island residents at boutique shops.
• Eat chowder from Point Prim Chowder House with a view of the ocean.
• Spend a day touring the lighthouses.
• Pick up a sand bracelet from PEI as a Canadian souvenir
• Eat lobster with all the Fixin’s.
• Head to Cavendish to see where the inspiration for Anne of Green Gables came from.
• Go camping in Prince Edward Island National Park. 

Newfoundland & Labrador bucket list

Canada’s most easterly province, Newfoundland & Labrador is home to a Norse archaeological site ‘L’Anse aux Meadows’ which is the reputed settlement of Viking explorer Leif Erikson!

Here are some more things to add to your bucket list for Newfoundland & Labrador if you’re in need of some Canada trip ideas.

• Walk the earth’s mantle at The Tablelands in Gros Morne National Park.
• Watch the first sunrise in North America from Cape Spear National Historic Site.
• Discover the earliest signs of life at the UNESCO site of Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve with its 565-million-year-old fossils!
• Lose your breath with the scenery at Torngat Mountains National Park. 
• Take a boat tour at Gros Morne National Park through the glacier-caved fjords. 
• Head to Iceberg Alley to watch the icebergs float down. Make it even more special by booking a kayak tour in Iceberg Alley.
• Visit Elliston and Marbeley to spot puffins.
• See one of the four corners of the “flat earth” at Brimstone Head on Fogo Island.
• Drive the scenic Port-au-Port Peninsula on the western coast.
• Explore Jellybean row – a series of super colourful houses in St. John’s.

Nunavut bucket list

There aren’t many tourists heading up to Nunavut, but if you do make it up there you’re sure to be wowed by the expanse of tundra, craggy mountains, and remote villages only accessible by plane or boat in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. 

It’s a special one for your Canada travel bucket list.

• Take a cruise to Nunavut to admire the expanse of tundra and the arctic way of life.
• Go on a wildlife tour to see polar bears and many types of whales.
• Hike the Akshayuk Pass is a 97 km trail between the town of Pangnirtung and Qikiqtarjuaq. 
• Meet the Nunavummiut (the people of Nunavut) and hear their stories about life on ice.
• Visit Cape Dorset to learn about Inuit culture and art. 
• Go backpacking and hiking in Nunavut’s national parks: Auyuittuq, Sirmilik, Quttinirpaaq, Qausuittuq, and Ukkusiksalik National Park. 
• See the northern lights in Nunavut. 
• Try snowmobiling in Nunavut and speed over the sea ice.

Yukon bucket list

The Yukon is a territory in northwest Canada which is wild, mountainous and sparsely populated. It’s truly one of those bucket list places to visit in Canada. Especially in winter for the northern lights!

• Hike in Kluane National Park and Reserve to see glaciers.
• Head to the far north to visit Ivvavik National Park and spot Porcupine caribou. 
• Visit Dawson City to learn about the Klondike Gold Rush.
• Drive the Klondike Highway and see the stunning Emerald Lake.
• Visit the Yukon Wildlife Reserve just outside of Whitehorse to see caribou, lynx, elk, bison, and more in their natural habitat but protected. 
• Walk alongside Miles Canyon, a popular site back in the Goldrush.
• Find Sign Post Forest in Watson Lake and look at the over 77,000 signs there! Bring your own to add to the collection.
• Relax in the Takhini Hot Springs just outside of Whitehorse. 
• Explore the rugged peaks and permafrost which characterise the remote landscape of Tombstone National Park. 

Northwest Territories bucket list

Last but not east on this Canadian bucket list is the Northwest Territories.

When it comes to unique places to travel in Canada, the Northwest Territories surely top the list.

The Northwest Territories of Canada are remote and the landscape encompasses forest, mountains, Arctic tundra and islands in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Few people visit this part of Canada but if you do you’re in for a treat with these things to do in the Northwest Territories.

• Visit the Smoking Hills – they’ve been burning for centuries!
• Spot the northern lights in Yellowknife. 
• Take a seaplane ride over Great Slave Lake, the deepest lake in North America (613m) and the tenth biggest lake in the world!
• Experience northern wilderness by visiting Nahanni National Park Reserve. See if you can spot any whitewater kayakers.
• Drive the ice roads of the Northwest Territories.
• Explore the salt plains at Wood Buffalo National Park. 
• Drive some (or all) of the Dempster Highway and take in the magnificent scenery from your window. 

Last Updated on October 31, 2023 by Hannah